Some
people think that to live an Islamic life is "restrictive". Islam
however, was revealed as a balanced way of living. Allah (The Most High)
created all the humans with what is called 'A Fitrah' (a natural state/desire).Islam
recognises that within this Fitrah there are motivations that influence a man's
role on earth e.g. a desire for good food and drink, to have a home, a desire
for love and sex, to protect and be protected and to be successful and strong.
Without some form of control and limit, all of these legitimate motives could
prove very dangerous.

So
what constitutes the perfect control for the Fitrah? It must be a method that
provides an organised yet practical demonstration of how to balance all these
natural human desires. It cannot be something that goes against the Fitrah, by
placing on it extra burdens. Likewise, it cannot be something that allows the
human desires to run wild without any form of control.

Islam
is the perfect control for the Fitrah. It provides a divine method that elevates
man above animals and the rest of creation.

Humans
lack perfect knowledge as well as perfect wisdom. No matter how hard we try, we
will never attain the perfect way of life by our own thinking and
interpretation. This is the reason why Allaah being the Most Wise, sent us the
Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)[2] to show us this practical and
organised way of life.

Allaah,
being Perfect, in His Wisdom and Knowledge, perfected a complete way of life for
us. He has set His limitations and rules, all of which are beneficial to
mankind, and therefore, do not need changing:

"These
are the limits (set) by Allaah, so do not approach them"
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:1871)

"These
are the limits set by Allaah, so do not transgress them"
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:229)

This
is why Islam does not allow celibacy, because it is against the Fitrah, i.e.,
the desire for sex. Celibacy goes beyond the limits required by humans, and is
something that cannot be fulfilled because humans are designed to procreate. As
humans we are not expected to fast every single day for the rest of our lives
(for most 30 days of the year provides an up-hill struggle). It is also from
ignorance to say that 'I shall not sleep during the night, but rather I shall
pray!' [3] Humans have not been created by Allah to live life in such a
manner. There is a balance which must be observed.

The
following incident describes the Islamic stance towards such behaviour, Anas
reported that some of the Companions of Allaah's Messenger (SAW) used to say:
"I will not marry women"; someone else said: "I will not eat
meat"; and someone else said: "I will not lie down in bed". (On
hearing this): The Prophet (SAW) praised Allaah, and glorified Him and said:
"what has happened to these people that they say so and so, whereas I
observe prayer and I sleep too. I observe fast and I break my fast; I marry
women also. And he who turns away from my Sunnah (i.e., my example or
lifestyle), he has no relation with me" [Narrated in Saheeh Muslim
vol. 2. p703. no. 32361].

Islam
on the other hand, does not allow the person to surrender themselves to lust and
desire, as in contemporary 'civilisation'. Islam recognises the love a man has
for women, children, gold, silver, and other possessions. But it provides a
limit for the amount of this worldly pleasure which we require, and reminds us
of the life in the hereafter.

"Beautified
for men is the love of things they desire: Women, Children, much of gold and
silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is
the pleasure of the present world's life, but Allaah has the excellent return (Paradise)"
(Surah Aali-Imraan 3:141)

The
inclinations and desires of the Fitrah are not to become the objective in life.
Rather they are to be taken in a stabilised manner. The way to deal with them is
real and Allaah (The Most High) has given us the detailed descriptions of a
levelled approach. This levelled approach gives mankind the perfectly balanced
pleasure in this worldly life. The method of maintaining a well-balanced life is
not an endurance test to see who lasts the longest. Allah has revealed Islam, to
show us how to attain this balance in a real manner. Life is not a torturous
spiritual test, where you are ordered to Iive in mountains and trees. Fasting
all year round is not obligatory. Marriage is permissible and you do not have to
beat yourself senseless to purify your soul! Rather as Muslims, we must try to
follow the Prophet and his balanced teachings of life and living. As Allah says
in the Qur'an:

"Indeed
in the Messenger of Allah (saw), you have a good example to follow.."
(Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)